A celebration of living history (hktdc.com)


	Hong Kong's iconic wet markets are an integral part of the city’s identity

	Shoppers hunt for bargains at the historic Stanley Market

Hong Kong's famous street markets, with their colour, vibrancy and sense of community, are living pieces of the city's heritage.

Nestled among the towering skyscrapers, these bustling, open-air bazaars provide an amazing contrast to Hong Kong’s equally famous shopping malls, department stores and designer boutiques.

Some markets have been in existence for over 100 years. Tourists love them, citing markets as the second most visited area of the city. Markets also provide a highly visual backdrop to both local and international film productions, photo shoots, music videos and TV commercials. Tomb Raider 2 and Rush Hour 2 among many others have utilised street market areas as locations, forming an integral part of Hong Kong's identity.

For the first time, a host of international and local artisans have pooled their creative talent to stage a multimedia exhibition celebrating Hong Kong's street markets.

Titled High and Dry, the exhibition showcases the work of artists, designers, photographers, film makers and musicans. Contributing artists include photographer Timon Wehrli from Red Dog Studio, designer Patrick Horvat, artist Stanley Wong (aka Anothermountainman), Douglas Young of G.O.D. and interior designer Jason Yung.

Stories retold

Interest had been overwhelming, said Jay Forster, Project Director, with over 500 people attending the opening. "It is our wish that High and Dry will not only highlight the vibrancy and practicality of Hong Kong street markets, but in addition provide an opportunity for artists and the market community to share the experience of recording the market as a living entity. We are recording the stories that will be retold to future generations."

The exhibition highlights the fact that markets today remain practical as well as quaint. The "wet markets" in local communities provide Hong Kong residents with a ready source of fresh produce and a cost-effective solution to the overly packaged, overly processed supermarket experience. Hong Kong Tourism Board data show that tourists – whose arrivals numbered over 2.45 million in July, a 12.3 per cent increase over the same month last year and a 7.7 per cent year-on-year increase – also consider them a must-visit.

The Ladies Market in Mongkok was listed as one of the 10 most visited locations by outgoing tourists in 2006. Other famous markets include Stanley Market on the Stanley waterfront, where historic fishing lanes are packed with vendors selling Chinese artwork, silk collectibles and curios, and Temple St Night Market, where fortune tellers and occasionally Cantonese opera singers may be found among the stalls selling everything from watches and leatherware to clothing and souvenirs.

Sweet scents

All manner of beautiful birds can be seen at the delightful Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, the favoured gathering place of Hong Kong's songbird owners, while the colourful Flower Market in Mongkok is a jungle of exotic blossoms, luck-bringing houseplants and sweet scents. The Goldfish Market is renowned for bringing buyers luck, and the Jade Market sells everything from valuable jade carvings to small and inexpensive trinkets.

The High and Dry exhibition runs throughout October at the Conservancy Association Centre For Heritage, Annex Block, 36A Western Street, Western District, Sai Ying Pun.

Markets will also feature throughout the rest of this year in a roving exhibition celebrating 50 years of Hong Kong tourism.